Explore and Create
by Canada Council for the Arts
Also known as: Research and Creation · Concept to Realization
Explore and Create is the Canada Council's program for making artistic work. Since the 2025 restructure its project-grant vehicle is 'Artistic Creation', covering the full cycle from research to public presentation, which you can apply for any time before your project starts, via the Council's portal. Maximum is reported at $75,000 per project (the Council publishes exact amounts only in its portal). It also carries multi-year funding for artist-driven organizations.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $75,000
granthub.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Uncertain: confirm with funder
- Instrument
- Grant (non-repayable)
- Status
- Open closes Sep 2, 2026
- Who qualifies
- Individual professional artist, artistic group or collective, arts organization
- National program, all Northern Ontario districts eligible
- Applicants must meet a Canada Council funding profile (validated in the portal)
- Reported: organizations receiving Canada Council core operating funding cannot apply to project grants
canadacouncil.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Intake windows
| Cycle | Opens | Closes | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Translation, 2026 Sep deadline | - | Sep 2, 2026 | Open | canadacouncil.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending |
| International translation, 2026 Sep deadline | - | Sep 2, 2026 | Open | canadacouncil.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending |
Application process
- Create/validate a profile in the Canada Council application portal
- Submit any time before your project or activity start date
- Peer assessment
- Decision
canadacouncil.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Common questions
What happened to Research and Creation and Concept to Realization?
They were merged. The Canada Council's official page states the new Artistic Creation opportunity 'supports activities previously funded by: Research and Creation and Concept to Realization' as part of the Council's 2025 program restructure.
Is there a deadline?
No fixed deadline for Artistic Creation, the official page says you can apply 'any time before the start date of your project or activity.'
How much can I get?
Secondary sources report a $75,000-per-project maximum for Artistic Creation; the Canada Council publishes exact amounts only inside its application portal, so confirm there before budgeting.
Can Northern Ontario artists apply?
Yes, it's a national program with no regional restriction, and application assistance is available for Indigenous applicants facing language, geographic or cultural barriers.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: